St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-08-04
A SUCCESSFUL SUBSTITUTE
Eleanor Kirk IN Congregationalist.
TRUE STORY,

little cottage upon the hill, ma'am, the
pretty lady. She4 wants to see Mr..
NortOn.n
"You needn't speak to him Betty"
said the minister's wife after a mo-
ments deliberatiOn. "I'll see if it is
really necessary first"
And SO saying she transferred the
baby from her arms to the maids, and
fastened to the parlOr where in the
darkest corner the guest had enscOnc-
ed herself.
"Mrs. Ostrander, believe" said the
minister's wife extending her hand
cordially. "YOu asked for my hus-
band, know, but, as he is unusually
late in getting to work this morning, |
thought would see if ! might not act
as his substitute"
The tones were gentle and sweet,
and the lady's manner had that subtle
charm which true unseltish kindness
alone can give.
'Mrs. Norton" said the visitor, sti-
fling a sob, and making brave effort
to rally, 81 came here to see your hus-
band because L didn't know what else
to do. | am member of his church,
and | felt that | ought to let him know
that l had no business there. l have
grown to be a very wicked woman,
Mrs. Norton, and / don't believe in
anything"
"YOu have been very i'll, believe,
Mrs. Ostrander 2" said her companion +,
to all appearance not much shocked 10y
this terrible revelation.
eyes, I've had malarial fever; but
that has nothing whatever to do with
Al. Il. 4 kI,n Il
perate response.
"And you have not yet recovered
your strength" the minister's wife re-
sumed. "NOw l want you to take off
your hat and rest yourself awhile" she
went on cheerily and without waiting
for an answer she united her neigh
boris veil, chatting pleasantly all the
while, and then excusing herself for
moment returned with small tray of
refreshments.
81 had some cordial sent me a while
ago which did me world of good, and
here are some Of Betty's special Oat-
meal cookies. She is delighted to
think there is a probability of your
trying Them"
"Oh, Mrs. Norton, you mean to be
kind 1 know" said the visitor in a
tone of anguish. "But you are under
the impression that | am imagining or
But assure you am
not. l tell you that l am so wicked
that l loathe all my duties, that at
times | almost hate my own children.
haven't the slightest faith in prayer,
and there is nothing in the universe to
me but cruelty, and all L want is ami
hilatiOn."
A bright red spot burned on the
speakers hitherto pallid cheeks, the
large expressive black eyes grew pre-
brilliant, and the poor lit
tie hands trembled so that her COM
panion covered them with one of her
own, and with the other placed the
cordial to her lips.
"You shall talk it all out after you
have taken a little refreshment," said
Mrs. Norton, sOOthingly.
81 know your husband would disap-
prove of your treating me this way"
said the visitor, with an impulsive
pressure of the warm, firm hand that
Ield hers so steadily.
"If my husband knew how you were |
Mrs. Ostrander, he would
wish that the parsonage was hOspi-
al where you could stay and be nurs-
ID back to health and peace" was the
'weet answer. "And moreover, my
lear, my husband could never be in
luced to listen to your confessions of
lnbelief while you were in such deli
ate state of health. He would say to
IOu, IF, when you are well, you still
continue in this frame of mind, we will
zee what can be DONE You couldn't
induce him to-day to hang you or
hoot you, or even scOld yOu," the
peaker added playfully.
Mrs. Norton broke off piece of the
risp cake and handed her companion
IS one might wait upon a fretful child.
,he was not unacquainted with the
main points of the history of her Wis
tor. A brilliant graduate of one of
'ur foremost colleges, she had married
refined, ambitious and moderately
Wealthy young man, whom everybody
espected and spoke well of. 1t was
a love match, and for few
ears nothing occurred to mar the
of their relations. Then there
we're some imprudent investments on
he part of Mr.. Ostrander, and this
rouble was followed by long illness,
md then there were other and more
eriOus losses; and at last it came to
,ass that the cultured and delicate
Oung wife was not only compelled to
Practise all sorts of small economies,
tut to take care of her three children
nd do her own homework, including
he washing and ironing. She had
either the training nor the strength
ecessary for the performance of such
york, and the result was a complete
Il hn |
he husband had been quite as serious.
his case seemed peculiarly out of the .
each of human sympathy, or rather
uman aid. Financial alienation i.
eemed the only practical basis of help, !
would not even accept a i,
= sensitive was he in regard to the !
he had made in the DISPOSE !
ion of his own snug little fortune.
Mrs. Ostrander nibbled the cake, and ;
slipped tiny draughts of i
Ie cordial, in obedience to the COM
land of her hostess. The tense, drawn !
'ok left the pretty, delicate face, and
little more normal and comfortable t
xpressiOn took its place.
"Mrs. Norton, what is religion good ,
,r, if it cannot keep us from being :
!, >" her companion replied. DAT pres .
Mt, Mrs. Ostrander, you are an in q
aid, and because your vitality is low,
nd your nervous system shattered
nd demoralized, yOur spiritual and in i
ellectual forces are also impaired. t
GU need skillful physician, a kind {
urse, and a good sensible friend. To n
lame yourself at such a crisis for a
Nv religious state is just about as SEN n
BILE as it would be to expect a man b
18th infiammatory rheumatism to get a